08/05/2026
This is a very vivid memory from my childhood. My step-dad taking a coffee break from his hard labor, resting his head in his hands. The weight of supporting five children and a small farm throughout the early 90s financial crisis heavily weighing him down. I don’t think I understood it then, I was happy being with all of our animals or wandering around in the woods. I knew we didn’t have much, but I didn’t feel like I missed anything. My mom didn’t work outside of the farm and she suffered from pain and aches, my step-dad lost his business due to the crisis and was on and off unemployment, the interest of the mortgage was nearly 20% and there were many people and creatures to feed.
Things were sometimes rough and childhood sure wasn’t always as sweet and safe as it should have been, for a number of reasons. But being an adult and a parent myself, I do see things a bit different. Or at least, with more forgiving eyes. Because I do see their struggle and I am grateful for it. That weight was a heavy burden. But he pulled us through, they pulled us through. Mum and Svenne. ♥️
